Mediastinoscopy

Procedure overview

What is a mediastinoscopy?

A mediastinoscopy is a surgical procedure performed to examine the mediastinum. The mediastinum is the space behind the sternum (breastbone) in the middle of the chest that separates the two lungs. It contains lymph nodes, the heart and its great vessels, the trachea, the esophagus, and the thymus gland.

The mediastinum can be visualized by the use of an endoscopic instrument called a mediastinoscope. A mediastinoscope is a lighted, long, thin, flexible tube that can visualize the organs and structures of the mediastinum. It also has the capacity to transmit images onto a TV-like monitor.

The procedure is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision in the neck above the top of the sternum and inserts the mediastinoscope. In addition to directly visualizing the mediastinum, tissue samples of mediastinal lymph nodes may be obtained. These lymph nodes receive lymphatic drainage from the lungs. A biopsy of these lymph nodes helps to identify disease processes that may be present in the mediastinum and the lungs.

The primary reason for mediastinoscopy is to visualize, examine, and biopsy lymph nodes for identification of disease processes in the mediastinum, particularly the staging of lung cancer. Determining the “stage” or the extent to which cancer has spread is important in planning the proper treatment. While positron emission tomography (PET scan) is becoming more useful in staging cancer, mediastinoscopy remains an important diagnostic tool when tissue biopsy is required.

Anatomy of the respiratory system

The respiratory system is made up of the organs involved in the exchange of gases, and consists of the:

Nose

Pharynx

Larynx

Trachea

Bronchi

Lungs

The upper respiratory tract includes the:

Nose

Nasal cavity

Ethmoidal air cells

Frontal sinuses

Maxillary sinus

Larynx

Trachea

The lower respiratory tract includes the lungs, bronchi, and alveoli.

What are the functions of the lungs?

The lungs take in oxygen, which cells need to live and carry out their normal functions. The lungs also get rid of carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body's cells.

The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped organs made up of spongy, pinkish-gray tissue. They take up most of the space in the chest, or the thorax (the part of the body between the base of the neck and diaphragm).

The lungs are enveloped in a membrane called the pleura.

The lungs are separated from each other by the mediastinum, an area that contains the following:

The heart and its large vessels

Trachea (windpipe)

Esophagus

Thymus

Lymph nodes

The right lung has three sections called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. When you breathe, the air enters the body through the nose or the mouth. It then travels down the throat through the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe) and goes into the lungs through tubes called mainstem bronchi.

One mainstem bronchus leads to the right lung and one to the left lung. In the lungs, the mainstem bronchi divide into smaller bronchi and then into even smaller tubes called bronchioles. Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli.

Reasons for the procedure

A mediastinoscopy is primarily performed to visualize, examine, and biopsy lymph nodes to aid in determining the stage of lung cancer and potential surgical options. Conditions of the mediastinum that may be detected by mediastinoscopy may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Cancer of the lungs, bronchi, and/or or structures in the mediastinum

Infection or inflammation

Lymphoma. A type of cancer in the lymphatic system; includes Hodgkin disease.

Sarcoidosis. A condition that causes areas of inflammation in the tissue around organs, usually in the liver, lungs, and spleen.

Thymoma. A tumor of the thymus gland (located behind the breastbone, the thymus is part of the immune system).

By determining the stage of lung or mediastinal cancer, if present, the doctor can plan for additional surgical procedures or other types of treatment.

There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a mediastinoscopy.

Risks of the procedure

As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. Some possible complications may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Bleeding

Infection

Temporary or permanent paralysis of the laryngeal nerve, which may cause hoarseness

Pneumothorax. Collapse of the lung, causing air to become trapped in the pleural space.

Subcutaneous emphysema is air under the skin

Perforation of the esophagus (hollow, muscular tube used in swallowing), trachea (windpipe), or large blood vessels of the heart is rare

Mediastinoscopy may be contraindicated in certain situations, including, but not limited to, the following:

Previous mediastinoscopy, heart surgery, or other chest surgery

Pregnancy

Previous neck or cervical spine surgery, or other conditions which would prevent proper positioning of the neck during the procedure

Superior vena cava obstruction. Blockage in the large vein that carries blood from the upper body into the heart.

There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.

Before the procedure

The doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.

You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear. More extensive surgery may be performed during the procedure if examination and biopsy results indicate the need for it. Your doctor will explain this possibility to you during the consent process.

In addition to a complete medical history, your doctor may perform a complete examination to ensure you are in good health before undergoing the procedure. You may undergo blood tests or other diagnostic tests.

You will be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should notify your doctor.

Notify your doctor if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medications, latex, iodine, tape, or anesthetic agents (local and general).

Notify your doctor of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking.

Notify your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary for you to stop these medications prior to the procedure.

You may receive a sedative prior to the procedure to help you relax.

Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.

During the procedure

A mediastinoscopy may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. The procedure will be performed while you are asleep under general anesthesia. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.

Click Image to Enlarge

Generally, a mediastinoscopy follows this process:

You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.

You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.

An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm or hand.

If there is excessive hair at the surgical site, it may be clipped off.

You will be positioned on the operating table lying on your back.

After you have been sedated, a breathing tube will be inserted into your lungs to assist your breathing while you are asleep during the procedure.

The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

The doctor will make a small horizontal incision just above the breastbone.

The doctor will use a finger to make a passageway into the mediastinum and palpate (examine by touch) the lymph nodes.

The doctor will advance the mediastinoscope through the passageway and examine the mediastinal structures. One or more tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.

After the examination has been completed and any other procedures performed, the mediastinoscope will be removed.

If more extensive surgery is indicated, the physician may choose to perform it at this time.

The incision will be closed with stitches or adhesive strips.

Tissue specimens will be sent to the lab for examination.

The breathing tube may be removed before you leave the operating room or later in the recovery room, depending on whether a more extensive procedure was performed.

After the procedure

After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Your recovery process will vary depending on the type of anesthesia that is given, as well as the type of procedure that was performed. If a more extensive procedure was performed, your recovery process will take longer, and you will most likely be admitted to the hospital for a day or so.

The area of your incision will be monitored for bleeding. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to your hospital room or discharged to your home.

Your doctor may order a chest X-ray after the procedure to check for bleeding or air in the pleural space.

Once you are home, it is important to keep the incision area clean and dry. Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions. If stitches are used, they will be removed during a follow-up office visit. If adhesive strips are used, they should be kept dry, and generally will fall off within a few days.

Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medication.

Your doctor may recommend using throat lozenges for a sore throat.

Notify your doctor to report any of the following:

Fever and/or chills

Redness, swelling, or bleeding or other drainage from the incision site

Increased pain around the incision site

Any changes in voice or difficulty breathing

Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.

Online resources

The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

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